Curatorial notes

Courageous Chicken addresses one of the central themes running throughout Bernstein's work: the transformation of fear into strength. The chicken, a recurring symbol of vulnerability and self-doubt, stands between a skeletal figure and a radiant circular form, suggesting a journey from limitation toward enlightenment and self-realization. The accompanying poem makes explicit what the image implies—that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite it. Bernstein embraces the vulnerable "chicken" within himself, recognizing that weakness and uncertainty can become sources of growth and resilience. Through bold colors, symbolic imagery, and personal reflection, the work celebrates the paradox that our greatest strengths often emerge from the very places where we feel most exposed.